REDS

WHITE DIAMONDS

The American Legion Post 44 White Diamonds won the inaugural state title of the 17-and-under division in the Michigan Veterans Baseball League at Menominee on Sunday, July 20, 2025. In the front row from left are Ty Niemi, Morgan Robar, Griffin Leece, Evan DellAngelo, Brayden Gleason, Waylon Harvala, Logan LaJoie and manager Dean Leece. Top row from left, coach Tony Ayotte, Tristan Slater, coach Jeremy Steele, Aidan Steele, Owen Cardinal, Connor Munson, Drake Ayotte, Killean Ryan, Ethan Gaston, Aidan Cardinal, coach Mike DellAngelo and coach Kristor Gaston. (Photo courtesy Michigan Veterans Baseball League Facebook page)

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The American Legion Post 44 White Diamonds won the inaugural state title of the 17-and-under division in the Michigan Veterans Baseball League at Menominee on July 20. In the front row from left are Ty Niemi, Morgan Robar, Griffin Leece, Evan DellAngelo, Brayden Gleason, Waylon Harvala, Logan LaJoie and manager Dean Leece. Top row from left, coach Tony Ayotte, Tristan Slater, coach Jeremy Steele, Aidan Steele, Owen Cardinal, Connor Munson, Drake Ayotte, Killean Ryan, Ethan Gaston, Aidan Cardinal, coach Mike DellAngelo and coach Kristor Gaston. (Photo courtesy Michigan Veterans Baseball League Facebook page)

By STEVE BROWNLEE

Journal Sports Editor

MARQUETTE — The Marquette American Legion Post 44 Reds and White Diamonds youth baseball teams both won the inaugural state championships in their respective age divisions in the Michigan Veterans Baseball League.

Each double-elimination tournament was held in the Upper Peninsula and completed on July 20.

The Reds won the 15-years-and-under title at Felch, while the White Diamonds took the 17-under championship in Menominee.

A Facebook posting reported both teams came out of the loser’s bracket to take their titles as the Reds defeated the Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Black Sox 3-2 and 4-3 in their championship round.

The rest of the 15U field was comprised of Gwinn, Felch and Norway, while the 17U group also included Gladstone, Kingsford, Menominee, Eastern Upper Peninsula, Gaylord and Hudson.

In the 17U tourney, Post 44 played six games in four days, opening with wins over EUP 11-0 and Kingsford 14-2 before suffering a 3-1 setback to Menominee to drop into the loser’s bracket, according to manager Dean Leece.

The Marquette County squad then downed Gaylord 5-1 before needing to defeat Menominee twice in the championship round, which Post 44 did 6-3 and 7-6 in eight innings.

In the final game, Morgan Robar hit a sacrifice fly walkoff to score Aidan Steele, who earlier hit an RBI double and stole third base that completed a comeback from a 5-0 deficit after five innings.

A third MVBL double-elimination tournament, the 19-under division, was scheduled to be held this past weekend in Gaylord.

That seven-team field was set to include the Post 44 Blues, Eastern U.P., Menominee, Ironwood, Soo Black Sox, Gaylord and Saginaw.

Story contents based on emails and phone calls from Post 44 managers Randy Ritari and Dean Leece. Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee’s email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.